Aftermath

16

Meadow

My mother entered the hospital room
with Rodney. I didn't want to talk or be bother with. I just wanted to sleep, sleep hasn't come easy now a days. Dijon tried helping but I was numb.

"Meadow how are you hun?" My mother asked while I laid looking at the tv.

"Tired."

"Don't you want to go to sleep? You have to sleep hun."

"I can't." I said holding back salty tears.

"Meadow you have to rest."

I wanted to get angry with her but I didn't have the energy or emotion. So I just responded. Monotone as ever.

"I'm fine, I'll fall asleep eventually."

Maybe forever

"Do you know who shot him?"

I laughed a humorless laugh.

"If I did, do you think I'll be talking to you right now?" I said turning to face her.

"Don't talk to your mother like that." Rodney butted in. I was ready for him to put his two cents in. I rounded on him.

"Aren't you the one that tried to kill my whole family instead of taking care of yours?"

"Aye-"

"Nah I'll let you talk when I finish! Where the fuck were you when Shiloh was getting shot!?" I said my anger making my voice higher.

"Meadow." My mom tried to cut in but Rodney interrupted her.

"Don't worry about where I was, worry about where you were."

"Your son got shot! You sick son of a bitch." I said while my voice started cracking with emotion.

"You don't know me Meadow."

"Oh I know you very well, you're a trifling little boy, not man. I'm glad you're not my father but I guess my family is just as fucked up as yours."

After I said my last words, I felt my mother back hand me. The stinging on my face made me hate her even more.

"Watch your damn mouth! You don't know what you're talking about little girl. You may have been a witness but I lived through all of that shit. Now tell me where the fuck your father is."

I put my left hand on the stinging part of my face. This bitch really hit me.

"You put your hands on my granddaughter again I'll beat your ass myself."

Everyone turned to the voice of my grandmother, I was so happy that she was here.

"Grandma." I said while running towards her as she engulfed me into her arms.

"Hey baby." She said hugging me while still glaring at Rodney and my mother.

"You don't even know what happened." Hazel began to speak.

"I know damn well what I just saw, you put your hands on my grandchild.

"She's my child." Hazel argued.

"Who been taking care of her!? You been dead for sixteen years Hazel. You come back and this chaos follow you."

"Mama." Hazel said sounding wounded.

"If you stay with him Hazel you'll be dead, for real this time."

"Mama." She attempted to get close to her.

My grandmother stopped her from getting any closer.

"Goodbye Hazel, I love you but I do not love the lifestyle you're living." She said while shaking her head.

Before we left out of the hospital we visited Shiloh. He looked so peaceful but the cords that connected to his body said other wise. He was stable at first but he slipped into a coma. He only had two days to wake up if Rodney wanted to pull the plug.

My heart ached while staring at him. We were just starting to show our true feelings, we were almost there.

I felt strong arms hug me from behind. I stiffen but relax when I looked up to see Dijon.

"Hey."

"Hi." I said barely above a whisper.

He stood beside me with his shoulders slumped.

"I promise whoever did this will have to deal with me."

I nodded in response.

"He was just talking about how much he loved you."

My eyes lightened up with excitement.

"He-He really said that." I said in disbelief.

"Yeah Meadow, Shiloh loved you."

My smiled dropped when he said loved. I don't know why I'm kidding myself. Shiloh is already dead. Whoever killed him is alive and probably far away from here.

After that we left out of the hospital. Today was the day I was being discharged. But I wasn't going anywhere with my mother and Rodney. I was finally going home, but without Shiloh.

I started to cry in front of my grandmother. She didn't say a word, she just held tighter.

"I know it hurts baby, but he's in a better place."

Whoever killed Shiloh better be ready for what's coming for him.